NOTE: This page is for students seeking information on this grant. Institutions seeking information regarding the administration of the grant, should visit the grant webpage.

General Description and Purpose

The Workforce Credential Grant is designed to provide low-cost opportunities for students to receive training in a high demand field and receive an industry-based certification or state licensure. The program was initiated in 2016 by the General Assembly. Students pay only 1/3 of the cost of the program upon enrollment. Students must complete the training program in order to avoid paying an additional 1/3 of the cost.

Learn more about the Workforce Credential Grant in the annual report: https://rga.lis.virginia.gov/Published/2025/RD208/PDF

Learn more about Virginia’s High Demand Occupations List: https://issuu.com/vedpvirginia/docs/virginia_s_high_demand_occupations_list_12_19_23

Participating Institutions

Community colleges across Virginia and the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center currently are offering these programs (additional providers may join later.)

For information on current offerings, visit the links below.

• Virginia Community College System has branded their participating programs as ‘FastForward’: Please visit the FastForward page for more information
• Southern Virginia Higher Education Center: Please visit www.svhec.org/job-training for more information.
• New College Institute: newcollegeinstitute.org/workforce-training/

Eligibility and Application

For a student to be eligible for an award, a student must meet the requirements for domicile (in-state residency) in Virginia as defined by the Code of Virginia § 23.1-502. More information on Virginia domicile, please refer to in-state residency page on our website.

The application process is managed by the participating institutions. Please contact your local community college for more information on how to apply and who to contact or visit the VCCS website.

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